It is fun to watch superhero movies, either for the action-packed scenes or how the story can go in any direction during the course of the movie. The most popular superheroes movies right now are the Marvel movies, also part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe or (MCU), where the the movies and television shows that are based on the comic books all take place in the same universe, with a shared, continuous story line.
The latest movie entry from the MCU is the Fantastic Four: First Steps which is a reboot story/introduction of the four new superheroes from the same family. This is a more streamlined origin story/introduction of this new family in the Marvel Cinematic universe by giving movie viewers a brief backstory before the new plot is introduced. Also, any viewers who have not seen previous MCU movies can follow the story without much issues because this takes place in an alternate/parallel Earth, which is unrelated the current story in the MCU.
First Impressions and What You’ll Notice Right Away
“Fantastic Four First Steps” gives a slick, retro-futuristic 70’s presentation that is instantly recognizable right away from the opening sequence. The energy feels higher, the effects are slicker, and the tone has more balance between the fun and emotional scenes. Fans of character-driven stories will immediately spot the difference; this movie holds back less and gives vibrant introductions to each character. The movie jumps immediately to a family scene about a possible new member to the family.
One of the things that is noticeable right away was the visual style. There’s a cosmic color palette here—lots of deep blues, glowing portals, and swirling galaxies that match the team’s origin story. The movie leans into sci-fi in a way that feels new for Marvel’s recent releases. It gives a positive view of the future through new advances in science and technology, (i.e, robots and flying cars exist in this world) Expect plenty of nods to the original comics, but it’s clear Marvel’s gunning for both hardcore fans and those new to the Fantastic Four world.
The Cast: New Faces and Fan Favorites
It’s important to have a talented cast that can bring out the comic book characters to life on the big screen. Many of these actors/actress are recognizable with a lot of TV and movie experiences and are able to bring their own take on these characters. Here are the cast:
- Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic: Played by Pedro Pascal, the new Reed brings a bit more vulnerability and awkward genius than past versions. He likes to whip out his chalk and start brainstorming ideas for any solutions to any current problem he is dealing with. His dynamic with the rest of the group is pretty strong, and he feels less stiff than you might expect. Reed’s problem-solving moments also get extra attention; this makes his leadership feel natural.
- Sue Storm / Invisible Woman: Played by Vanessa Kirby, gets a lot more depth this time around. She showcases leadership and empathy, making her the emotional center of the team. Her leadership is demonstrated by having representing the team on the United Nations to help present the team’s views to the world. She keeps the team calm and promotes perseverance when they face new challenges.
- Johnny Storm / Human Torch: Played by Joseph Quinn, has classic humor and flashy confidence are all there, but the script gives him a few extra layers. He is the youthful member of the team and he helps the team out by unraveling the mystery of the Silver Surfer character.
- Ben Grimm / The Thing: Played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach, has the gruff exterior and the soft side that both get time to shine. He sometimes struggles to accept his awkward looking, rocky appearance, which he believes prevents him from having romantic relationship with anyone. Despite this, he attempts to start and maintain a relationship with someone, which helps develops his character’s arc in the movie. The new actor makes his transformation feel like a real loss and gain, all at once.
Supporting characters, including the villain (and sub-villain), really help flesh out the story; the spotlight stays focused on these four and how they form a family that sticks together along the way.
Plot and Story: What’s New and What Sticks
This movie draws from a wide range of comics, bringing in elements from early science-adventure runs and newer cosmic sagas. It runs through the details of their accident pretty quickly, and jumps into the “what now?” phase after they get their powers. This approach keeps things moving without bogging folks down in too much backstory. The main problem with this approach is that you don’t understand why they became the Fantastic Four, and this may prevent you from feeling emotionally invested in the characters and to what happens to them during the course of the movie.
In the first half of the movie, the each of the team members are going about their professional lives, saving people as the Fantastic Four and then living out their personal lives with the public knowing their true identity as well. A new member is introduced/becomes part of this family and this shakes-up the family dynamic of this team, with each character reacting differently to this event. Eventually, the villain arrives—a cosmic-level threat tied closely to their powers—which causes the action to ramp up. The stakes get pretty big, but there’s still room for jokes, personal moments, and one side plot for Johnny Storm. It all adds up to an adventurous, action packed ride, while keeping teamwork and family at its heart. Marvel dropped in references to “the family you choose,” which is a running theme for this film.
Visual Effects, Soundtrack, and the Overall Vibe
The visual effects in “Fantastic Four 2025 are pretty good and they raise the bar. The special effects mix practical stunts and CGI to create crisp, believable action sequences. The main city gives this large and wide presentation with showing the team’s towering headquarters in this vast, sci-fi city of the future. All the special effects from the team’s powers like Mr. Fantastic’s stretching abilities to Sue Storm’s Force Fields are rendered well and are believable. The scenes in outer space like space ships, black holes, and planets look detailed and cool; it’s hard not to appreciate the detail.
The soundtrack is decent, with a blend of synth and orchestra sound that brings energy and helps capture the mood of each hero. The main theme is good too, as it keeps echoing the words “Fantastic Four” literally and/or with trumpet sounds to emphasize the team’s morale to overcome the current problem. Combined with visual effects, the movie’s style feels like a modern sci-fi adventure, with the superhero story added on as well.
Overall, the movie’s look and feel are meant to set it apart from both earlier (not so great) Fantastic Four films and other MCU installments. The range of colors helps to make every scene pop, especially during action and otherworldly sequences. You’ll leave the theater remembering all the epic shots of the main fights between the team and the main villain, as well the adventures in space.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Watching
If you’re hoping for a direct follow-up to the last time the Fantastic Four appeared in theaters, this reboot is anything but that. While there are plenty of Easter eggs linking it to the larger MCU, there is no need to catch up or rewatch anything previously. Here are some of the few terms to know before watching this movie:
- Multiverse: “Fantastic Four 2025” drops subtle hints about other realities, which matches Marvel’s current push into multiverse storylines.
- Cosmic Rays: These trigger the team’s powers, keeping true to comic book sci-fi roots, but with an updated, modern explanation to make things fresh.
Also, you don’t need to have read the comics to track down the storyline. Most things are explained well enough for newcomers, but veteran fans will stumble upon dozens of clever callbacks to the original material.
Challenges and Weak Spots
No movie gets everything right, and this film has its own flaws. The pacing early on is fast—the team comes together and learns to use their powers almost too quickly. Some scenes feel like they’re rushing to get to the next set piece, and a few of the bigger action moments have that “standard Marvel” vibe instead of adding something new to the story. On top of that, there isn’t a ton of screen time spent on how each character’s life changes due to their new abilities. Some of the plot points can be predictable. It does not do anything new in terms of comic book movies, but it executes the story and plot well.
Villain Development
The villain looks eye-catching and his story is tied into the team’s own origin, but sometimes his motivations don’t feel totally solid. A few extra scenes could have helped with this, grounding his threat on a deeper, more personal level for the heroes and the audience too. He gives a towering presence and puts fear into the team as a possible significant world-ending threat that they may not be able to defeat.
Balancing Jokes and Drama
The movie goes for a lighter tone, with jokes appearing often—even in serious moments. Sometimes the humor hits, but sometimes it undercuts the tension, and depending on what you’re looking for, that might either work or feel annoying. This is part the “Marvel” kind of humor. There was one scene where that is something dramatically/also awkward going on, but the humor provides some comic relief and keeps the dramatic scene going.
Smart Moves by the Director
One of the best choices here is how the director builds out the group dynamic. By not solely focusing on powers and big action, the story digs into what happens when four mismatched people are forced to work together (and with the entire world as well) in the face of chaos and uncertainty. The dialogue feels down to earth, and the quieter, emotional moments land just as strongly as the explosive scenes.
Who Should Watch This?
“Fantastic Four 2025” is a great choice if you’re into character-driven sci-fi mixed with a comic-book adventure. If the past Fantastic Four movies attempts felt flat or soulless, you’ll probably like the energy and personality in this movie. Fans of Marvel’s bigger cosmic stories will especially love the nods and subtle hints at future crossovers. This film is mostly fine for the whole family, while there could a couple dark, scary scenes for kids.
This reboot also manages to set up plenty of excitement for future appearances and Marvel adventures. If you stick around for the credits, you’ll get a taste of where this team could head next and what could happen later in the MCU in later phases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some quick answers to some frequently asked questions about the movie:
Is this connected to the larger MCU?
There are a few nods to other events and characters from other Marvel movies, but it’s built to stand on it’s own. You won’t feel lost if you haven’t caught up on every MCU story. Watch for hidden Easter eggs that could hint at where Marvel’s heading and which heroes might show up next to join the adventure.
Do I need to know the comics?
Nope! The film works for newcomers, but comic fans will spot several small references in set design, costumes, and some side characters. If you’re a longtime enthusiast, definitely keep an eye out for subtle nods. There are some deviations from the comic-book source material, but these changes are mostly fine for the movie.
Post-credits scenes?
Yes, there’s a mid-credits scene setting up future crossovers and a short post-credits bonus moment that’s played for laughs—classic Marvel style.
Wrapping Up
The Fantastic Four: First steps is a solid, reboot of this comic book family in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The retro, sci-fi, futuristic look helps distinguish this movie from the other Marvel movies. Since this take place in a parallel Earth, there is no need to watch the previous Marvel movies to understand this one. The family’s origin story is told too quickly and leaves the audience not understanding why they became the Fantastic Four. Some of the plot and logic can be a little weird and funny, but it’s still fun to watch. The big, action set pieces and the way the camera shows the large, vast environments help give this movie an adventurous and towering feeling. This is a fun, comic book for anyone who enjoys some good story and action.
What do you think?
Are you looking forward to watching this movie? If you seen it, what did you think about the movie? Do you agree with this review? Please feel free to drop you comments below. Thanks!
Disclaimer – This post was written by AI and me.